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Michigan Main Street Story Series

Michigan Main Street (MMS)

Michigan Main Street Story Series

The Michigan Main Street Story Series celebrates the unique stories of the people that create vibrant Main Street districts and work tirelessly to help these places thrive. 

Michigan Main Street is working with Storyville Social to capture stories directly from the stakeholders that are the heartbeat of Michigan’s downtowns and traditional commercial districts. Together the collection of stories showcases the transformative power of the Main Street network throughout the state.

Hear from the business owners, executive directors, board members and community partners that help keep Michigan Main Streets thriving. Browse content and highlights below, and visit the Michigan Main Street Story Telling video playlist.

Main Street Stories Interviews and Videos

Main Street Executive Director and Board Member Interviews
  • Lapeer Main Street DDA - James Alt, Executive Director & Tony Stroh, City of Lapeer Commissioner and Board Member (Interview Video | Narrative) 
  • Saline Main Street - Holli Andrews, Executive Director & Jill Durnen, Business Owner and President of Saline Main Street (Interview Video | Narrative) 
  • Lapeer Main Street DDA - Catherine Bostick, Board Member (Narrative)
  • Niles Main Street - Lisa Croteau, Executive Director (Interview Video | Narrative)
  • Charlevoix Main Street - Lindsey Dotson, Executive Director (Interview Video | Narrative)
  • Old Town Commercial Association - Ben Dowd, President & Jamie Schriner, Former President (Interview Video | Narrative)
  • Downtown Lansing, Inc. - Cathleen Edgerly, Executive Director & Bob Rose, Design Committee Chair (Interview Video | Narrative)
  • City of Owosso - John Hankerd, business owner & former Owosso Main Street Board Member, & Sue Osika, Mayor Pro Tem (Interview Video | Narrative)
  • Howell Main Street - Kate Litwin, Executive Director (Interview Video | Narrative) 
  • Blissfield Main Street - Heather Marks, former Executive Director (Interview Video | Narrative)
  • Three Rivers Main Street - Tricia Meyer, Executive Director & Andrew George, Board Chair (Interview Video | Narrative)
  • Cheboygan Main Street DDA - Polly Schneider, Executive Director & John Costin, Vice Chair and Business Owner (Interview Video | Narrative)
  • Southwest Detroit Business Association - Myrna Segura, Director of Programs (Interview Video | Narrative)
  • Grand Haven Main Street - Jeremy Swiftney, Executive Director & Sharon Beam, Board Member (Interview Video | Narrative)
  • Milan Main Street/DDA - Jill Tewsley, Executive Director & Jade Smith, Board Member and former City Administrator (Interview Video | Narrative)
  • Grayling Main Street - Jillian Tremonti, Executive Director (Interview Video | Narrative) 
  • Main Street Grosse Pointe - Cindy Willcock, Executive Director & Kasey Malley, Chair & Business Owner (Interview Video | Narrative)
  • Evart Main Street/DDA - Todd Bruggema, DDA Main Street Director & Alan Bengry, Business Owner and DDA Board Chair (Interview Video | Narrative)
  • North End Detroit Vanguard Community Development Corporation - Lisa Tucker, Vice President for Economic Development & Ette Garth, Board Member and Assistant Principal for Detroit Public Schools (Interview Video | Narrative)
  • Wayland Main Street/DDA - Jennifer Antel, Mayor of Wayland, former DDA Board Member & Holli McPherson, Executive Director of Main Street Wayland (Interview Video | Narrative)
  • Boyne City Main Street - Jordan Peck, Executive Director & Michelle Cortright, former Main Street Board Member (Interview Video | Narrative)
  • Adrian Main Street DDA – Jay Marks, Executive Director & Dusty Steele, Board Chair (Interview Video | Narrative)
  • Coldwater Main Street DDA – Audrey Tappenden, Executive Director & Courtney Dirschell, Board Member (Interview Video | Narrative)
  • Rogers City Main Street – Alex Harimoto, Executive Director & Scott McLennan, Mayor (Interview Video | Narrative)
  • Sault Ste Marie Main Street DDA – Stephanie Sprecker, Executive Director & Craig Cooper, Board Chair (Interview Video | Narrative)
Main Street Community Overview Videos
  • How the Main Street Program Transformed Old Town Lansing and Howell | Video 
  • Community Culture - A look into the success of Milan, Mexicantown and Lapeer | Video
  • Community Pride - A recipe for attracting people that want to make a difference to your community | Video
  • Community Ownership - A look into the success of Cheboygan, Grayling, Saline and Grosse Pointe | Video 
  • Community Culture - A look into the success of Boyne City, Evart, Nort- End of Detroit, and Wayland | Video
  • Boosting Community Vibrancy with Grants and Support | Video
  • Owosso’s Hype Team - Michigan Main Street and Match on Main | Video
  • Leadership and Training with Michigan Main Street | Video
  • The Power of Place: Community Branding with Ben Muldrow | Video
  • The Power of a Community Brand | Video
  • Empowering Michigan Communities with Data | Video
  • Driving Community Transformation through Michigan Main Street | Video
  • Transformation Strategies with Michigan Main Street | Video
  • Leadership and Training Spotlight - Mexicantown and Niles | Video
  • Market Snapshot - Cheboygan | Video

Business Owner Stories

The Michigan Main Street Business Owner Stories celebrate the uniqueness of local business owners and the work they do to help their communities thrive.

The Wicked Sister (Sault Ste. Marie Restaurant)

Cathy Howell and family transformed a bar, bought at auction, into one of the Sault's premiere restaurants.

El Taco Loco (Coldwater Restaurant)

'Love at first site' with Downtown Coldwater brought Danielle and Nohemi Lopez, as well as a taste of Mexico to the community.

Tradewinds Bakery (Rogers City Bakery)

Aaron and Sarah Romel are giving new life to a legacy business in Downtown Rogers City.

Maggard Razors (Adrian Retail)

In Downtown Adrian, entrepreneur Brad Maggard has grown a small space into one of the world's largest niche retail locations.

Browse All Stories

Community Partner Stories

The Michigan Main Street Community Partner Stories celebrate and shed light on how developers and community members are transforming downtowns and commercial districts across the state. 

Bay Mills Indian Community (Sault Ste. Marie Community Partner)

Whitney Gravelle and the close-knit Bay Mills community uplift each other and all of Sault Ste. Marie.

Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians (Sault Ste. Marie Community Partner)

Austin Lowes knows the value of economic development in forging community bonds and services.

Kim Margherio (Rogers City Community Partner)

An original member of 'Team Rogers City', Kim Margherio has rallied her community around revitalization.

S. Allen Design (Coldwater Community Partner)

Scott and Diane Morrison are saving building and revitalizing their community in Downtown Coldwater.

Browse All Stories
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